Hydroxylamine derivatives

ABSTRACT

This invention is related to hydroxylamino derivatives of the following general formula (I) 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; R 1  and R 2 , independently of each other, are H, OH or OCH 3 ; R 3  is H or CH 3 ; R 4  is H, C 1 -C 3  straight or branched alkyl or, together with R 3 , forms a five to seven-membered carbocyclic ring; and R 5  and R 6 , independently of each other, are H or C 1 -C 5  straight or branched alkyl and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrug thereof, for the preparation of medicaments useful for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of CNS degenerative disorders related to protein misfolding and/or misaggregation. The invention also relates to novel compounds included in formula (I), to a method for preparing the compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/582,141 filed on Jul. 5, 2006, which is the 35 U.S.C. §371 national stage of International PCT/EP04/14077 filed on Dec. 10, 2004, which claims priority to EUROPEAN Application No. 03028441.8 filed on Dec. 11, 2003. The entire contents of each of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference. Any disclaimer that may have occurred during prosecution of the above referenced applications is hereby expressly disclaimed.

This invention is related to hydroxylamino derivatives of the following general formula (I)

wherein

n is 0, 1 or 2;

R¹ and R², independently of each other, are H, OH or OCH₃;

R³ is H or CH₃;

R⁴ is H, C₁-C₃ straight or branched alkyl or, together with R³, forms a five to seven-membered carbocyclic ring;

and R⁵ and R⁶, independently of each other, are H or C₁-C₅ straight or branched alkyl

and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrug thereof, for the preparation of medicaments useful for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of central and peripheral degenerative disorders related to protein misfolding and/or misaggregation.

The invention also relates to novel compounds included in the above formula (I), to a method for preparing said compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of central and peripheral nervous system degenerative disorders such as those caused by formation of fibrils of beta-amyloid peptide, alpha-synuclein, prion protein and huntingtin, Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's Disease, spongiform encephalopathies, Huntington's Disease and systemic AA amyloidosis including the primary amyloidosis of the peripheral nervous system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years it has been found that several neurodegenerative disorders are caused by protein misfolding and/or misaggregation.

One of the most important and initial step of Alzheimer's disease (AD), for instance, involves proteolytic cleavage of APP (amyloid precursor protein,) releasing short 40, 42 and 43 aa peptides (beta amyloid 1-40, 1-42, and 1-43). The degeneration of neurons is due to polymerization of beta-amyloid peptides (Aβ) and subsequent neuronal deposit (amyloid). Monomeric Aβ is a product of normal metabolism and is not toxic to neuronal cells. As it forms multimeric and polymeric assemblies of itself, Aβ acquires potent toxicity for neuronal cells. Inhibition of this polymerization process has thus been identified as a potential approach to the treatment of AD and all other related pathologies where the anatomopathological hallmark is the presence of Aβ deposit.

Amyloid like-disorders might be far more widespread than previously thought, and might include many common neurodegenerative and neuromuscular pathologies, as well as prion disease. Prion diseases can be either sporadic or infectious, and until recently were not known to be associated with protein misfolding and deposition. Prions are composed solely of a misfolded prion protein (PrP^(sc)) isoform of a glicolipid-anchored host protein. Patients with prion diseases develop progressive neurologic dysfunction. Prion diseases are invariably fatal and no effective therapy exists till now. Compounds that inhibit PrP^(sc) formation including Congo red, are effective in scrapie-infected cultured cells.

It has also been found that the formation of intraneuronal deposits called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites is due to aggregates of another protein, alpha-synuclein, whose misfolding and misaggregation is also believed to be one of the causes of both AD and Parkinson's disease.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,510 discloses N-alkoxy and N-hydroxyphenylethylamines of the following general formula:

wherein

X and Y, independently of each other, are H, OH or OCH₃;

Z is H or OH;

R is H or CH₃;

R′ is H, CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇ or i-C₃H₇;

R″ is CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇ or i-C₃H₇

and their use for sustaining and/or raising blood pressure, their use as local vasoconstrictors and/or in the relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles and of the intestinal tract, in pupil dilation and in the stimulation of adrenergic nerves. No CNS activity was disclosed.

GB 1,062,299 discloses 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-propane derivatives of the general formula Ar—CH₂—C(CH₃)—NH(OR), wherein Ar is 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl and R is H or C₁-C₈ alkyl, as hypertensive agents.

Major, R. T. and Ohly, K. W. J. (Med. and Pharmaceut. Chem. 1961, 4, 51-65) described the synthesis of N-alkoxy-N-(2-phenyl)-isopropylamines of formula C₆H₅CH₂CH(CH₃)NHOR wherein R is CH₃, C₂H₅ or i-C₃H₇, and tested the compounds for MAO inhibitory activity.

Benington, F.; Morin, R. D. and Clark, L. C. Jr. (J. Med. Chem. 1965, 8, 100-104) described the synthesis of ring-substituted 1-aryl-2-hydroxyamino- and 1-aryl-2-methoxyamino-propanes and demonstrated that the compounds were general central stimulants.

Kende et al. described in Tetrahedron Letters 1991, 14, 1699-1702 the synthesis of hydroxylamino derivatives using samarium diiodide as reducing agent.

None of the above mentioned documents mentions the use of the compounds as inhibitors of protein and/or peptide fibrils aggregation.

WO99/62505 describes a method for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder comprising the administration of compounds able to inhibit the binding of an amyloid beta peptide to alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This patent application claims compounds of the general formula:

wherein R² is selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, aryl or C₇-C₁₀ aralkyl and R³ is selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₃-C₁₀ alkenyl.

WO 01/30979 discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising primary N-hydroxylamines of the general formula NHOHCRiR₂R₃, wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C₁-C₁₀) alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, acyl, carboxyl, amino, nitro, nitroso, oxime, hydrazone, azo, thiol, sulfonyl and halide and their use for reducing oxidative damage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I)

pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, wherein:

n is 0, 1 or 2;

R¹ and R², independently of each other, are H, OH or OCH₃;

R³ is H or CH₃;

R⁴ is H, C₁-C₃ straight or branched alkyl or, together with R³, forms a five to seven-membered carbocyclic ring;

and R⁵ and R⁶, independently of each other, are H or C₁-C₅ straight or branched alkyl

for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention, treatment, diagnosis of central and peripheral nervous system disorders involving protein misfolding and/or misaggregation, for example disorders caused by formation of fibrils of beta-amyloid peptide, alpha-synuclein, prion protein and huntingtin, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's Disease, spongiform encephalopathies, Huntington's Disease and systemic AA amyloidosis including the primary amyloidosis of the peripheral nervous system.

The invention also relates to compounds of formula (I) as defined above and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

with the provisos that:

R¹ and R² cannot be both hydrogen;

when n is 0, R¹ and R² are both hydroxyl, R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen, R⁴ cannot be CH₃ (GB 1,062,299);

when n is 0, R³ is H and R⁴ is H or CH₃, R⁶ cannot be C₁-C₃ straight or branched alkyl (U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,510);

and that the compounds cannot be:

-   1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminoethane, (J. Biol. Chem. 1979,     254, 8575-8583); -   1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, (J. Pharm. Pharmac.     1973, 25, 708-717); -   1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, (J. Med. Chem. 1965, 8,     100-104, J. Pharm. Pharmac. 1973, 25, 708-717); -   1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, (J. Med. Chem. 1965,     8, 100-104, Tetrahedron 1975, 31, 1531-1535); -   1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxylaminobutane, (Tetrahedron Letters     1991, 32, 1699-1702); -   1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, (Chem. Pharm. Bull.     1981, 29, 1615); -   1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminoethane, (WO92/00968); -   N-methyl-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane,     (Xenobiotica 2003, 33, 1013); -   1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, (Xenobiotica     2003, 33, 1013); -   N-methyl-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane,     (Xenobiotica 2003, 33, 1013); -   N-methyl-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane,     (Tetrahedron 1975, 31, 2595).

Preferred novel compounds are:

-   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-butyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-butyl-O-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine.

Preferred known compounds for the use of the invention are:

-   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine;

The present invention includes all the possible optical isomers of the compounds of formula (I) and their mixtures, as well as their metabolites. Some crystalline forms of the compounds may exist as polymorphs, which are also included in the present invention. Some of the compounds are solvated with water, and as such they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. The invention also includes pharmaceutically acceptable bioprecursors and prodrugs of compounds of formula (I). Selection and preparation of prodrugs are described, for example, in “Design of Prodrugs”, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula (I) include acid addition salts with inorganic acids, e.g. nitric, hydrochloric, carbonic, hydrobromic, sulphuric and phosphoric acid, or with organic acids, e.g. acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, tartaric, citric, benzoic, cinnamic, mandelic, methanesulphonic, salicylic acid.

The compounds of the invention can be prepared by different methods.

According to a first method, a compounds of formula (II)

-   -   wherein R¹, R², R³ are as defined above and R⁷ is —C(═O)R⁴,         —CH(R⁴)—CHO, or —CH(R⁴)—CH₂—CHO, wherein R₄ is as defined above

is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

wherein R⁶ is as defined above,

in the presence of a reducing agent to give a compound of formula (I) wherein R⁵ is hydrogen. This is subsequently alkylated with a compound of formula (IV):

R⁵—X  (IV)

wherein R⁵ is C₁-C₅ straight or branched alkyl and X is a halogen atom or a leaving group, preferably selected from mesylate, tosylate or triflate.

Alternatively, compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁵ is hydrogen can be subjected to reductive alkylation with a compound of formula (V):

R⁸—CHO  (V)

wherein R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl.

Compounds of formula (I) wherein R⁵ is hydrogen can also be obtained by reacting a compound of formula (VI)

wherein n, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and X are as defined above

with a compound of formula (VII)

R⁶ONHCOOC₂H₅  (VII)

wherein R⁶ is as defined above in the presence of a base and subsequent hydrolysis of the resulting carbamate.

According to a further method, a compound of formula (VIII)

wherein n, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined above,

is reduced with BH₃.THF, NaBH₄, Zn/NH₄Cl, SmI₂ (Kende, A. S. and Mendoza, J. S. Tetrahedron Letters 1991, 32, 1699-1702), to give compounds of formula (I) where both R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen. N- and/or O-alkylation can be performed according to methods described in the literature and well known to those skilled in the art.

The compounds of the general formula (I) wherein both R⁵ and R⁶ are hydrogen can also be obtained by alkylation of the amino group of compounds of general formula (IX)

wherein n, R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined above

with YCH₂CN (with Y═Cl, Br, I), oxidation with m-CPBA, and subsequent hydrolysis with hydroxylamine (H. Tokuyama et al. Synthesis 2000, 9, 1299-1304).

Compounds (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII) and (IX) are commercially available or can be prepared from commercially available compounds by conventional methods.

Reductive amination is preferably performed under nitrogen atmosphere, in a suitable organic solvent, preferably an alcohol, at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 40° C. The reduction can be carried out with hydrides, preferably selected from NaBH₄, NaBH₃CN or by catalytic hydrogenation, the most appropriate catalyst being PtO₂. Molecular sieves can optionally be added to the reaction mixture to promote the reaction.

The reaction of compounds of formula (VI) with compounds of formula (VII) is carried out in alkaline conditions, in solvents like alcohols, THF, acetonitrile, at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 100° C.

In compounds of the general formulas (IV) and (VI), X is preferably iodine or mesylate and alkylation can be carried out in a suitable organic solvent, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, more preferably ethanol, at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 50° C.

The reductive alkylation of compounds of formula (I) wherein R₅ is hydrogen with an aldehyde of formula (V) can be carried out in a suitable organic solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol or acetonitrile in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 30° C.

The reduction of the nitro group of compounds of the general formula (VIII) to hydroxylamino group can be carried out according to conventional methods, preferably under nitrogen atmosphere with diborane or NaBH₄ in THF at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 25° C., or with SmI₂ in THF/methanol at room temperature.

The oxidation of compounds of the general formula (IX) can be carried out according to Tokuyama, H. et al. Compounds of the general formula (IX) are first treated with Y—CH₂CN, in a suitable organic solvent, preferably acetonitrile or DMF, with a suitable base, preferably Hünig' s base (N,N-diisopropylethylamine) or K₂CO₃ and subsequently oxidised with m-CPBA in a suitable organic solvent, preferably CH₂Cl₂, at a temperature ranging from room temperature to 40° C.; the final treatment with hydroxylamine is carried out in an alcoholic solvent, preferably in boiling methanol.

Pharmacology

The compounds of the invention are able to interfere with the in vitro aggregation, fibrilization and deposition of different types of self-aggregating proteins, such as Amyloid-β₁₋₄₂, Prion Protein₁₀₆₋₁₂₆ and α-synuclein.

In our experimental conditions, the peptide monomer (anti-aggregation protocol) or already aggregated (disaggregation protocol) was incubated at 37° C., alone or in the presence of the test compound, for different time intervals, then centrifuged and both the supernatant and the pellet were analyzed by HPLC or Thioflavine T binding assay.

The potencies of the compounds of this invention in inhibiting the aggregation or in inducing the disaggregation of the fibrils are in low μMolar range and at least in 1:10 molar ratio to the peptide concentration.

As shown in Table 1, the compound N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine (1) and the compound N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphtalene-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine (2) display significant anti-aggregating properties against the all three proteins tested (Aβ₁₋₄₂, PrP₁₀₆₋₁₂₆ and α-synuclein). As compared to the known compound trans-N-(5,8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphtalene-2-yl)-N,N-dipropyl-amine (3), described in WO99/62505 and Bioorg. Med. Chem. 10 (2002) 3565-3569, compound (2) is significantly more potent in inhibiting the aggregation of all three proteins, whereas compound (1) is more potent in inhibiting the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ and α-synuclein and equally potent in inhibiting PrP₁₀₆₋₁₂₆ fibrils.

TABLE 1 In vitro Amyloid-β₁₋₄₂, Prion Protein₁₀₆₋₁₂₆ and α-synuclein fibril formation β-Amyloid₁₋₄₂ PrP₁₀₆₋₁₂₆ α-synuclein Anti-aggregation Anti-aggregation Anti-aggregation (HPLC assay) (HPLC assay) (HPLC assay) Compound IC₅₀*, μM IC₅₀, μM IC₅₀, μM 1 15 76 222 2 6 20 35 3 60 75 878 *IC₅₀ = Concentration able to inhibit the aggregation of the fibrils by 50%

Pharmaceutical compositions of compounds of formula (I) for oral, parenteral, rectal, sublingual, intranasal or transdermal administration can be prepared according to conventional methods and with conventional excipients or carriers, for example as disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences Handbook, XVII ed., Mack Pub., N.Y., U.S.A. The effective dose ranges from 0.1 mg/Kg and 100 mg/Kg. Optimal dosages may be determined by those skilled in the art, and will vary according to the compound, the administration route and the development of the disease. Patient-associated parameters, such as body weight, age, sex, diet, physical activity, period of administration, associated co-morbidities and clinical conditions will also be taken into account.

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration are preferably tablets, sublingual tablets, compressed or coated pills, dragees, sachets, hard or soft gelatine capsules. Suitable excipients or carriers include diluents, preferably lactose, dextrose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, cellulose; lubricants, preferably silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycols; binders, preferably starches, gelatine, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, arabic gum, tragacanth, polyvinylpyrrolidone; disgregants, preferably starches, alginic acid, alginates, sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, preferably lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non-toxic.

Liquid dispersions for oral administration are preferably syrups, emulsions, and suspensions. Suitable carriers for syrups include saccharose or saccharose in admixture with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol. Suitable carriers for suspensions and emulsions include natural gums, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. Suitable carriers for suspensions or solutions for intramuscular injections include preferably sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol. A suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride can optionally be contained in injectable preparations.

Suitable carriers solutions for intravenous injection or infusion are sterile water or sterile isotonic saline.

Suitable excipients for suppositories include cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactants or lecithins.

The following examples illustrate the invention in greater detail.

Example 1 N-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

5,6-Dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one (1.5 g, 7.5 mmol), prepared as described in J. Med. Chem. 1977, 20, 1111-1116, was dissolved in water (15 ml) and a solution of O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (1 g, 10 mmol) and Na₂CO₃ (0.53 g, 5 mmol) in water (10 ml) was added dropwise under stirring at 10° C. The reaction was left at room temperature overnight and then extracted with diethyl ether. The ether solution was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in 20 ml of ethanol and concentrated hydrochloric acid (1 ml) and hydrogenated at 3.6×10⁶ Pa (50 psi) using PtO₂ as catalyst. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, water was added and the aqueous phase was treated with NaHCO₃ and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to dryness under vacuum. The crude residue was purified by chromatography, to afford 0.85 g of the title compound.

MS (ED: 251.0 (M⁺).

Example 2 N-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

N-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine (0.85 g, 3.4 mmol), obtained as described in Example 1, was dissolved in 2-pentanone (10 ml) and refluxed with 1-bromopropane (0.5 g, 4 mmol) and solid K₂CO₃ (0.6 g, 4.5 mmol). The solid was filtered and the solvent was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The crude residue (1.2 g) was purified by chromatography to afford 0.28 g of the title compound.

MS (EI): 293.2 (M⁺).

Example 3 N-(5,6-Dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

N-(5,6-Dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine (0.8 g, 2.7 mmol), obtained as described in Example 2, was dissolved in 48% HBr (12 ml) and refluxed until completion of the reaction. The solvent was evaporated to dryness under vacuum and the residue was purified by chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90:10) to afford 0.5 g of the title compound.

MS (EI): 265.2 (M⁺);

¹H-NMR (DMSO+TFA) δ: 6.62 (d, 1H); 6.41 (d, 1H); 4.07 (q, 2H); 3.50-3.62 (m, 1H); 3.18-3.27 (m, 2H); 2.70-3.01 (m, 3H); 2.18-2.30 (m, 1H); 1.61-1.76 (m, 3H); 1.15 (t, 3H); 0.92 (t, 3H).

The following compounds are obtained according to the same procedures described in examples 1-3:

-   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-yl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(5,6-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl-methyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine.

Example 4 N-(1-Methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

1-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propanone (1.35 g, 7.5 mmol) was dissolved in H₂O (15 ml) and a solution of O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (1 g, 10 mmol) and Na₂CO₃ (0.53 g, 5 mmol) in water (10 ml) was added dropwise under stirring at 10° C. The reaction was left at room temperature overnight and then extracted with diethyl ether. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was dissolved in EtOH (20 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (1 ml), then hydrogenated over PtO₂ at 3.6×10⁶ Pa (50 psi). The solvent was removed under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in 30 ml of water, the aqueous phase was made basic with NaHCO₃ and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to dryness. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography, to afford 0.75 g of the title compound.

MS (EI): 239.3 (M⁺).

Example 5 N-(1-Methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

N-(1-Methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine (0.3 g, 1 mmol), obtained as described in Example 4, was dissolved in acetonitrile (10 ml) and refluxed with 1-bromopropane (0.135 g, 1.1 mmol) and solid K₂CO₃ (0.83 g, 6 mmol). The solid was filtered and the solvent was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The crude residue (0.4 g) was purified by flash chromatography to afford 0.25 g of the title compound.

MS (EI): 281.3 (M⁺).

Example 6 N-(1-Methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine

N-(1-Methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine 0.25 g, 0.9 mmol), obtained as described in Example 5, was dissolved in 48% HBr (4 ml) and refluxed until completion of the reaction.

The solvent was evaporated to dryness under vacuum and the crude residue was purified by chromatography (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 90:10) to afford 0.16 g of the title compound.

MS (ED: 253.3 (M⁺);

¹H-NMR (DMSO) δ: 6.62 (d, 1H); 6.56 (s, 1H); 6.41 (d, 1H); 3.73 (q, 2H); 2.92-3.08 (m, 1H); 2.80-2.88 (m, 1H); 2.61-2.73 (m, 2H); 2.18-2.28 (m, 1H); 1.45-2.58 (m, 2H); 1.08 (t, 3H); 0.86-0.95 (m, 6H).

Anal. (C₁₄H₂₃NO₃.C₂HF₃O₂) C, H, N and F.

The following compounds are obtained according to the same procedures described in examples 4-6:

-   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(1-methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-methyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-hydroxylamine; -   N-(2-methyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-propyl)-N-propyl-O-ethyl-hydroxylamine.

Example 7 Inhibition of Aβ 1-42 Spontaneous Aggregation

Preparation of the Aβ 1-42 Peptide

Synthetic Aβ 1-42 (U.S. Peptide, Rancho Cucamonga, USA) was dissolved to 220 μM in H₂O/CH₃CN 1:1. Aliquots of 10 μg were lyophilized under vacuum with an Eppendorf concentrator for 18 h and stored at −80° C.

Aβ 1-42 spontaneous aggregation

10 μg of lyophilized peptide sample was dissolved at 20 μM in 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 150 mM NaCl. The sample was incubated for 18 h at 37° C. After centrifugation at 13000×g for 5 min, the pellet was dissolved in formic acid and both the pellet and the supernatant were analysed by HPLC. The extent of aggregation was determined as the percentage of peptide content in the pellet compared with the total amount.

HPLC Analysis of the Aβ 1-42 Peptide Monomer

Column: PLRP-S 100 Å, 8 μm, 150×4.6 mm, Polymer Laboratories

Mobile phase: gradient from 15% A to 70% B in 10 min

-   -   A=H₂O+0.01% TFA     -   B=CH₃CN+0.08% TFA

Flow rate: 0.7 ml/min

Detector: UV, 214 nm

Example 8

Inhibition of Non Aβ Component of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid (NAC, α-synuclein) spontaneous aggregation

Preparation of the NAC Peptide

The synthetic peptide NAC (Bachem) was dissolved at 1 mg/ml in H₂O/CH₃CN 1:1 plus 5% TFA. Aliquots of 40 μg were lyophilized under vacuum for 18 h and stored at −80° C.

NAC Spontaneous Aggregation

40 μg of lyophilized peptide sample was dissolved at 500 μM in 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 150 mM NaCl. The sample was incubated for 24 h at 37° C. After centrifugation at 13000×g for 5 min, the pellet was dissolved in formic acid and both pellet and supernatant were analyzed by HPLC. The extent of aggregation was determined as the percentage of peptide content in the pellet compared to the total amount used.

HPLC analysis of the NAC peptide monomer

-   -   1 pump     -   1 autosampler     -   1 UV detector     -   Guard column: high performance guard column, 5 μm, Vydac     -   Column: Protein and Peptide C18, 5 μm, 25×0.46 cm, Vydac     -   Mobile phase: gradient developed from 95% A to 100% B in 12 min         -   A=H₂O+0.1% TFA         -   B=CH₃CN+0.08% TFA     -   Flow rate: 1 ml/min     -   Detector: UV, 214 nm

Example 9 Inhibition of PrP 106-126 Spontaneous Aggregation Preparation of the Prp 106-126 Peptide

The synthetic peptide PrP 106-126 (Bachem) was dissolved at 1 mg/ml in H₂O/CH₃CN 1:1. Aliquots of 30 μg were lyophilized under vacuum for 18 h and stored at −80° C.

PrP 106-126 Spontaneous Aggregation

30 μg of lyophilized peptide sample was dissolved at 500 μM in 20 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 150 mM NaCl. The sample was incubated for 24 h at 37° C. After centrifugation at 13000×g for 5 min, the pellet was dissolved in formic acid and both pellet and supernatant were analyzed by HPLC. The extent of aggregation was determined as the percentage of peptide content in the pellet compared to the total amount used.

HPLC analysis of the PrP 106-126 peptide monomer

-   -   1 pump     -   1 autosampler     -   1 UV detector

Guard column: high performance guard column, 5 μm, Vydac

Column: Protein and Peptide C18, 5 μm, 25×0.46 cm, Vydac

Mobile phase: gradient developed from 95% A to 70% B in 12 min

-   -   A=H₂O+0.1% TFA     -   B=CH₃CN+0.08% TFA

Flow rate: 1 ml/min

Detector: UV, 214 nm

Example 10 Thioflavine T (ThT) Binding Assay

After aggregation, the sample was centrifuged and the supernatant was discarded. The pellet was resuspended in 300 μl of 50 mM glycine-NaOH buffer, pH 9.4 containing 2 μM ThT and incubated for 5 min. The fluorescence was determined by a fluorescence plate reader (Fusion, Packard) at a 400 nm excitation wavelength and a 485 nm emission wavelength. 

1. A compound of the formula:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: is 0, 1 or 2; R¹ and R², independently of each other, are H, OH or OCH₃; R³ is H or CH₃; R⁴ is H, C₁-C₃ straight or branched alkyl or, together with R³, forms a five to seven-membered carbocyclic ring; and R⁵ and R⁶, independently of each other, are H or C₁-C₅ straight or branched alkyl with the provisos that: R¹ and R² cannot be both hydrogen; when n is 0, R¹ and R² are both hydroxyl, and R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen, R⁴ cannot be CH₃; when n is 0, R³ is H and R⁴ is H or CH₃, R⁶ cannot be C₁-C₃ straight or branched alkyl; and that the compound cannot be: 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminoethane, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxylaminobutane, 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminoethane, N-methyl-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, 1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, N-methyl-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, N-methyl-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminopropane, and N-ethyl-1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxylaminoethane.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds according to claim 1 in a mixture with suitable excipients and/or carriers.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds according to claim 1 and a compound for the treatment of central and peripheral nervous system disorders involving protein misfolding and/or misaggregation of beta-amyloid peptide, alpha-synuclein, prion protein and huntingtin selected from Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson's Disease, spongiform encephalopathies, Huntington's Disease and systemic AA amyloidosis, in admixture with suitable excipients and/or carriers. 